China's use of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is not only an economic practice but a strategic attempt to expand its naval presence. China's massive distant-water fishing fleet, the largest in the world, traditionally conceals itself under commercial fishing but serves greater geopolitical agendas. China subsidises the fuel cost for fishing boats. That&rsquo;s what makes it economical for them to roam the oceans. These vessels venture far from Chinese waters, depleting fish resources and penetrating the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of other nations. In modern times, China has become a predatory fisheries Superpower.
The Chinese Pacific fishing fleet has grown more than 500 per cent to 564,000 vessels. This massive Chinese fishing fleet absolutely scours the ocean of sea life. Fishing stocks are collapsing because of their rapacious destruction. Nothing is as destructive to the survival of fishing stocks worldwide as the Chinese fleets &ndash; they are lawless, brutally efficient, and absolutely without conscience. &nbsp;It is estimated that by 2030, China will account for 37 per cent of the global catch.
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/1302_WION_CHINA_9PM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/1302_WION_CHINA_9PM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=227&amp;tags=china, taiwan, south china sea, underwater space station, gravitas," title="China's aggressive push in South China Sea" id="PL_iframe_block-m87edvxu-pxn0se0k-vpearita"></iframe>
Chinese fishing fleets (which are so big that you can see them from space) dredge the ocean floors across the globe with electrified nets and wipe out ecosystems. Chinese boats have expanded their capacity to harvest staggering amounts of catch in a single voyage. When working together in fleets, these vessels are rapacious. This aggressive fishing method is part of a broader strategy of asserting dominance over strategic maritime areas, thereby further entrenching China's naval presence and influence.&nbsp;
<h2>Case studies of past encounters</h2>
South China Sea: The South China Sea has been at the centre of maritime clashes. China's aggressive claims and assertive actions, such as the construction of artificial islands and the deployment of military assets, have led to a number of clashes with neighbouring countries. For instance, the 2019 Chinese ramming of a Philippine fishing vessel off the Reed Bank region indicated the risk of war.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-china-sea-chinese-helicopter-flew-dangerously-within-3m-of-philippine-plane-8735296">Also read: South China Sea: Chinese helicopter flew 'dangerously' within 3m of Philippine plane</a>
China ships poach 240,000 kg of fish daily in the Philippines&rsquo; seas. It is worse than an invasion. Chinese fishermen have been using cyanide in Bajo de Masinloc to intentionally destroy the traditional fishing grounds of Filipino fishermen. Parts of the resource-rich lagoon has been destroyed. They intentionally destroyed Bajo de Masinloc to prevent Filipino fishing boats from fishing in the area.&nbsp; East China Sea: China and Japan have clashed on numerous occasions in the East China Sea, including over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. The Chinese fishing boat incursions, supported by coast guard ships on occasion, have raised tensions to the brink of military clashes. West Africa: Chinese IUU fishing has also brought major disruptions to West Africa. Overexploitation of the local fish stocks has resulted in economic instability and heightened tensions between Chinese fishermen and local communities. These events highlight the wider security implications of Chinese fishing activities.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-mauritius-to-oman-india-expands-sphere-of-influence-to-counter-chinas-presence-in-indian-ocean-region-638441">Also read: From Mauritius to Oman, India expands sphere of influence to counter China&rsquo;s presence in Indian Ocean Region</a>
The IOR &amp; the Arabian Sea:&nbsp;Massive swarm of Fishing vessels are spotted by satellites in the Arabian Sea. The cluster is hundreds of kilometres wide! Chinese fishing research vessels Lan Hai 101 and 201 were spotted conducting research in the Arabian Sea, which is intended to support Beijing's distant-water fishing fleet in exploiting the region.&nbsp;China&rsquo;s IUU fishing has taken a sinister turn with Maldives allowing China to install fish-aggregating devices in IOR. Such surveillance moves by China are a clear-cut threat to India&rsquo;s security. There is a frequent presence of Chinese distant-water fishing vessels in the region. These vessels often operate without proper authorisation, depleting fish stocks and causing significant environmental damage. In 2020, the Information Fusion Centre Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) reported 379 incidents of IUU fishing in the Indian Ocean, with many of these incidents involving Chinese vessels. The Pacific Ocean:&nbsp;A recent analysis by Oceana revealed that China's distant-water fishing fleet frequently swarms the waters surrounding the Gal&aacute;pagos, often disappearing from public view by disabling their tracking devices. It&rsquo;s nearly impossible to track the fleet when they turn off GPS tracking systems and go dark, like they did off Galapagos Islands&rsquo; protected preserve in 2021 and 2023.&nbsp; These activities pose significant threats to the marine ecosystem and biodiversity of the Gal&aacute;pagos, as well as to the livelihoods of local communities that are dependent on sustainable fishing practices.
<h2>The risk of a PLAN-Coast Guard-maritime militia nexus</h2>
China's maritime strategy is one of the coordinated efforts among the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the China Coast Guard (CCG), and the maritime militia. This &ldquo;gray zone&rdquo; strategy takes advantage of the various capabilities of these forces to establish control over disputed waters without crossing the threshold into open war. The maritime militia, usually made up of nominally civilian fishing boats, is instrumental in this strategy by carrying out surveillance, harassment of foreign ships, and assertion of Chinese claims. The presence of these forces raises the prospect of military confrontations with regional navies, including India.
<h2>Need for India's coordinated response</h2>
Enhancing Inter-Agency Maritime Monitoring: India needs to enhance its maritime monitoring capacities to track and counter Chinese movements in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This entails equipping advanced monitoring systems, augmenting patrols, and enhancing inter-agency intelligence-sharing mechanisms. Enhancing Military-to-Military Relations with IOR Allies: Improving military relations with IOR nations is crucial. Conducive joint exercises, coordinated patrols, and strategic partnerships can contribute to forging a united front against Chinese intrusions. Coordination with like-minded countries like the United States, Japan, and Australia under such frameworks as the Quad can function efficiently to enhance regional security. Employing Legal and Diplomatic Counter Steps: India must utilise international legal instruments to confront Chinese misconduct in the IOR. This involves lodging of complaints under the UNCLOS and diplomatic means of framing a coalition of states impacted by Chinese IUU fishing. Legal action and diplomatic pressure can manage to rein in China's assertive ocean activities. In summary, the increasing threat of naval conflict in the Indian Ocean requires a comprehensive response from India. Through improvd surveillance, reinforcing military cooperation, and using legal and diplomatic options, India can combat the strategic menace of China's IUU fishing and maritime outreach.
(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

World Opinion: China's use of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is not only an economic practice but a strategic attempt to expand its naval presence.

China's use of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is not only an economic practice but a strategic attempt to expand its naval presence. China's massive distant-water fishing fleet, the largest in the world, traditionally conceals itself under commercial fishing but serves greater geopolitical agendas. China subsidises the fuel cost for fishing boats. That’s what makes it economical for them to roam the oceans. These vessels venture far from Chinese waters, depleting fish resources and penetrating the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of other nations. In modern times, China has become a predatory fisheries Superpower. The Chinese Pacific fishing fleet has grown more than 500 per cent to 564,000 vessels. This massive Chinese fishing fleet absolutely scours the ocean of sea life. Fishing stocks are collapsing because of their rapacious destruction. Nothing is as destructive to the survival of fishing stocks worldwide as the Chinese fleets – they are lawless, brutally efficient, and absolutely without conscience. It is estimated that by 2030, China will account for 37 per cent of the global catch. Chinese fishing fleets (which are so big that you can see them from space) dredge the ocean floors across the globe with electrified nets and wipe out ecosystems. Chinese boats have expanded their capacity to harvest staggering amounts of catch in a single voyage. When working together in fleets, these vessels are rapacious. This aggressive fishing method is part of a broader strategy of asserting dominance over strategic maritime areas, thereby further entrenching China's naval presence and influence. Case studies of past encounters South China Sea: The South China Sea has been at the centre of maritime clashes. China's aggressive claims and assertive actions, such as the construction of artificial islands and the deployment of military assets, have led to a number of clashes with neighbouring countries. For instance, the 2019 Chinese ramming of a Philippine fishing vessel off the Reed Bank region indicated the risk of war. Also read: South China Sea: Chinese helicopter flew 'dangerously' within 3m of Philippine plane China ships poach 240,000 kg of fish daily in the Philippines’ seas. It is worse than an invasion. Chinese fishermen have been using cyanide in Bajo de Masinloc to intentionally destroy the traditional fishing grounds of Filipino fishermen. Parts of the resource-rich lagoon has been destroyed. They intentionally destroyed Bajo de Masinloc to prevent Filipino fishing boats from fishing in the area. East China Sea: China and Japan have clashed on numerous occasions in the East China Sea, including over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. The Chinese fishing boat incursions, supported by coast guard ships on occasion, have raised tensions to the brink of military clashes. West Africa: Chinese IUU fishing has also brought major disruptions to West Africa. Overexploitation of the local fish stocks has resulted in economic instability and heightened tensions between Chinese fishermen and local communities. These events highlight the wider security implications of Chinese fishing activities. Also read: From Mauritius to Oman, India expands sphere of influence to counter China’s presence in Indian Ocean Region The IOR & the Arabian Sea: Massive swarm of Fishing vessels are spotted by satellites in the Arabian Sea. The cluster is hundreds of kilometres wide! Chinese fishing research vessels Lan Hai 101 and 201 were spotted conducting research in the Arabian Sea, which is intended to support Beijing's distant-water fishing fleet in exploiting the region. China’s IUU fishing has taken a sinister turn with Maldives allowing China to install fish-aggregating devices in IOR. Such surveillance moves by China are a clear-cut threat to India’s security. There is a frequent presence of Chinese distant-water fishing vessels in the region. These vessels often operate without proper authorisation, depleting fish stocks and causing significant environmental damage. In 2020, the Information Fusion Centre Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) reported 379 incidents of IUU fishing in the Indian Ocean, with many of these incidents involving Chinese vessels. The Pacific Ocean: A recent analysis by Oceana revealed that China's distant-water fishing fleet frequently swarms the waters surrounding the Galápagos, often disappearing from public view by disabling their tracking devices. It’s nearly impossible to track the fleet when they turn off GPS tracking systems and go dark, like they did off Galapagos Islands’ protected preserve in 2021 and 2023. These activities pose significant threats to the marine ecosystem and biodiversity of the Galápagos, as well as to the livelihoods of local communities that are dependent on sustainable fishing practices. The risk of a PLAN-Coast Guard-maritime militia nexus China's maritime strategy is one of the coordinated efforts among the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the China Coast Guard (CCG), and the maritime militia. This “gray zone” strategy takes advantage of the various capabilities of these forces to establish control over disputed waters without crossing the threshold into open war. The maritime militia, usually made up of nominally civilian fishing boats, is instrumental in this strategy by carrying out surveillance, harassment of foreign ships, and assertion of Chinese claims. The presence of these forces raises the prospect of military confrontations with regional navies, including India. Need for India's coordinated response Enhancing Inter-Agency Maritime Monitoring: India needs to enhance its maritime monitoring capacities to track and counter Chinese movements in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This entails equipping advanced monitoring systems, augmenting patrols, and enhancing inter-agency intelligence-sharing mechanisms. Enhancing Military-to-Military Relations with IOR Allies: Improving military relations with IOR nations is crucial. Conducive joint exercises, coordinated patrols, and strategic partnerships can contribute to forging a united front against Chinese intrusions. Coordination with like-minded countries like the United States, Japan, and Australia under such frameworks as the Quad can function efficiently to enhance regional security. Employing Legal and Diplomatic Counter Steps: India must utilise international legal instruments to confront Chinese misconduct in the IOR. This involves lodging of complaints under the UNCLOS and diplomatic means of framing a coalition of states impacted by Chinese IUU fishing. Legal action and diplomatic pressure can manage to rein in China's assertive ocean activities. In summary, the increasing threat of naval conflict in the Indian Ocean requires a comprehensive response from India. Through improvd surveillance, reinforcing military cooperation, and using legal and diplomatic options, India can combat the strategic menace of China's IUU fishing and maritime outreach. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

From fishing trawlers to warships: The growing risk of naval confrontation in the Indian Ocean

In the midst of increased tensions between the two nations in the disputed areas, Chinese coast guard ships attempted to stop two Philippine fishing vessels that were providing supplies to fishermen in the South China Sea by using water cannons.

China's Latest Aggression In South China Sea?

While the world is dealing with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-may-have-four-times-more-covid-19-cases-than-reported-study-294601">COVID-19 </a>crisis, China earlier this month announced a new governance system for disputed islands in South China Sea that has irked not only its neighbours but has drawn sharp reactions from countries like US and Australia.&nbsp;

Earlier this month China approved the establishment of two districts to administer disputed Paracel &amp; Spratly island in the South China Sea. Each district will have a local government with the government for the Spratly island being located on Fiery Cross Reef, an area fortified by China by land reclamation. One of the new district created in Sansha city in Hainan province will administer Paracel island.&nbsp;

Before that Bejing had issued new names for 25 islands/ reef &amp; 55 undersea entities in the South China Sea in a bid to "reaffirm" its sovereignty in the region.

This has led to angry responses from the country's neighbourhood and from Washingon and Canberra. Vietnam strongly protests Chinese action saying it violates the country's sovereignty and are invalid. An angry Philippines filed a diplomatic protest at the Chinese embassy in Manila. Australian foreign minister Marise Payne while condemning China's action in South China Sea said it is "vital all countries ease tensions so they can focus on combating COVID-19."

Meanwhile, US slamming Bejing said the country is using COVID-19 distraction to further its hold in the South China Sea. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said, "Even as we fight the outbreak, we must remember that the long-term threats to our shared security have not disappeared. In fact, they’ve become more prominent."

Explaining, "Beijing has moved to take advantage of the distraction, from China’s new unilateral announcement of administrative districts over disputed islands and maritime areas in the South China Sea, its sinking of a Vietnamese fishing vessel earlier this month, and its “research stations” on Fiery Cross Reef and Subi Reef."

He said,"important to highlight how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is exploiting the world’s focus on the COVID-19 crisis by continuing its provocative behavior" and "The CCP is exerting military pressure and coercing its neighbors in the SCS, even going so far as to sink a Vietnamese fishing vessel. The U.S. strongly opposes China’s bullying and we hope other nations will hold them to account too."

Japan has also lodged a strong protest with the Chinese government ship crossing into Japanese territorial waters near Senkaku Island in East China sea. Tokyo says 4 Chinese coast guard vessels have sailed in the area for 90 minutes. China claims ownership over senkaku island and calls them as diaoyu.

While the world is dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, China earlier this month announced a new governance system for disputed islands in South China Sea that has irked not only its neighbours but has drawn sharp reactions from countries like US and Australia.

While the world is dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, China earlier this month announced a new governance system for disputed islands in South China Sea that has irked not only its neighbours but has drawn sharp reactions from countries like US and Australia. Earlier this month China approved the establishment of two districts to administer disputed Paracel & Spratly island in the South China Sea. Each district will have a local government with the government for the Spratly island being located on Fiery Cross Reef, an area fortified by China by land reclamation. One of the new district created in Sansha city in Hainan province will administer Paracel island. Before that Bejing had issued new names for 25 islands/ reef & 55 undersea entities in the South China Sea in a bid to "reaffirm" its sovereignty in the region. This has led to angry responses from the country's neighbourhood and from Washingon and Canberra. Vietnam strongly protests Chinese action saying it violates the country's sovereignty and are invalid. An angry Philippines filed a diplomatic protest at the Chinese embassy in Manila. Australian foreign minister Marise Payne while condemning China's action in South China Sea said it is "vital all countries ease tensions so they can focus on combating COVID-19." Meanwhile, US slamming Bejing said the country is using COVID-19 distraction to further its hold in the South China Sea. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said, "Even as we fight the outbreak, we must remember that the long-term threats to our shared security have not disappeared. In fact, they’ve become more prominent." Explaining, "Beijing has moved to take advantage of the distraction, from China’s new unilateral announcement of administrative districts over disputed islands and maritime areas in the South China Sea, its sinking of a Vietnamese fishing vessel earlier this month, and its “research stations” on Fiery Cross Reef and Subi Reef." He said,"important to highlight how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is exploiting the world’s focus on the COVID-19 crisis by continuing its provocative behavior" and "The CCP is exerting military pressure and coercing its neighbors in the SCS, even going so far as to sink a Vietnamese fishing vessel. The U.S. strongly opposes China’s bullying and we hope other nations will hold them to account too." Japan has also lodged a strong protest with the Chinese government ship crossing into Japanese territorial waters near Senkaku Island in East China sea. Tokyo says 4 Chinese coast guard vessels have sailed in the area for 90 minutes. China claims ownership over senkaku island and calls them as diaoyu.

China exploiting world’s focus on COVID-19, Pompeo on South China Sea dispute

China has installed a new platform on a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-china-sea-doesnt-belong-to-any-one-nation-pence-177640">remote part of the Paracel Islands</a> in the disputed South China Sea which could be used for military purposes, according to recent satellite images reviewed by a US think tank.

The strategic waterway is <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-presses-china-to-halt-militarization-of-south-china-sea-176537">claimed almost in its entirety by China</a>, whose continued building of military and other installations on artificial islands and reefs there has unnerved the region and angered Washington.

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies said the images showed a “modest new structure” on Bombay Reef, topped by a radome and solar panels.

“The development is interesting given Bombay Reef’s strategic location, and the possibility that the structure’s rapid deployment could be repeated in other parts of the South China Sea,” the group said in a statement on Tuesday.

The purpose of the platform and radome was unclear, but it could be for military use, it said.

“The reef is directly adjacent to the major shipping lanes that run between the Paracels and the Spratly Islands to the south, making it an attractive location for a sensor array to extend Chinese radar or signals intelligence collection over that important sea lane,” the group said.

China’s defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China’s sovereignty over the Paracel Islands was not in dispute, and there is nothing wrong with China carrying out construction work on its own territory.

“As for the specific situation you mention, I have no understanding of it,” Geng told a daily news briefing.

Vietnam also claims the Paracels. Vietnam’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Facilities on the reefs and islands of the South China Sea should be more civilian and less military,” the paper wrote.

That means there should be more focus on building lighthouses, civilian airports, maritime search and rescue, scientific research and weather forecasting, it added.

“Just as the Chinese government has repeatedly stressed, after the completion of the island facilities, they will actively provide relevant public security products and services to regional countries,” the paper said.

This will help the international community with things like counter-terror and anti-piracy operations, to jointly safeguard peace and security in the South China Sea, it added.

China has said some civilian facilities on the islands are intended for use by others in the region, but the government has given few details about how that may work in practice.

The islands China occupies in the South China Sea are off-limits to foreigners, with access under the effective control of the People’s Liberation Army(PLA) despite them technically being administratively part of China’s southern Hainan province.

Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei also have competing claims in the South China Sea.

China has frequently lambasted the United States and its allies for freedom of navigation naval operations near to Chinese-occupied islands.

The United States earlier this month again urged China to halt militarisation of the South China Sea.

China said it had the right to build “necessary defence facilities” on what it considers its own territory and urged Washington to stop sending warships and military planes close to the islands that Beijing claims.

China has installed a new platform on a remote part of the Paracel Islands in the disputed South China Sea which could be used for military purposes, according to recent satellite images reviewed by a US think tank.

China has installed a new platform on a remote part of the Paracel Islands in the disputed South China Sea which could be used for military purposes, according to recent satellite images reviewed by a US think tank. The strategic waterway is claimed almost in its entirety by China, whose continued building of military and other installations on artificial islands and reefs there has unnerved the region and angered Washington. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies said the images showed a “modest new structure” on Bombay Reef, topped by a radome and solar panels. “The development is interesting given Bombay Reef’s strategic location, and the possibility that the structure’s rapid deployment could be repeated in other parts of the South China Sea,” the group said in a statement on Tuesday. The purpose of the platform and radome was unclear, but it could be for military use, it said. “The reef is directly adjacent to the major shipping lanes that run between the Paracels and the Spratly Islands to the south, making it an attractive location for a sensor array to extend Chinese radar or signals intelligence collection over that important sea lane,” the group said. China’s defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China’s sovereignty over the Paracel Islands was not in dispute, and there is nothing wrong with China carrying out construction work on its own territory. “As for the specific situation you mention, I have no understanding of it,” Geng told a daily news briefing. Vietnam also claims the Paracels. Vietnam’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “Facilities on the reefs and islands of the South China Sea should be more civilian and less military,” the paper wrote. That means there should be more focus on building lighthouses, civilian airports, maritime search and rescue, scientific research and weather forecasting, it added. “Just as the Chinese government has repeatedly stressed, after the completion of the island facilities, they will actively provide relevant public security products and services to regional countries,” the paper said. This will help the international community with things like counter-terror and anti-piracy operations, to jointly safeguard peace and security in the South China Sea, it added. China has said some civilian facilities on the islands are intended for use by others in the region, but the government has given few details about how that may work in practice. The islands China occupies in the South China Sea are off-limits to foreigners, with access under the effective control of the People’s Liberation Army(PLA) despite them technically being administratively part of China’s southern Hainan province. Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei also have competing claims in the South China Sea. China has frequently lambasted the United States and its allies for freedom of navigation naval operations near to Chinese-occupied islands. The United States earlier this month again urged China to halt militarisation of the South China Sea. China said it had the right to build “necessary defence facilities” on what it considers its own territory and urged Washington to stop sending warships and military planes close to the islands that Beijing claims.

China building new structure on Bombay Reef in South China Sea: US think tank

China hopes that Britain can stand by its position of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/chines-military-tells-us-military-plane-flying-over-south-china-sea-to-leave-immediately--158405?amp">not taking sides in the South China Sea</a> and earnestly respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Chinese government's top diplomat told Britain's foreign minister.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-navy-warship-sails-near-south-china-sea-islands-angering-beijing-163979">Also Read:&nbsp;British Navy warship sails near </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-navy-warship-sails-near-south-china-sea-islands-angering-beijing-163979">South</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-navy-warship-sails-near-south-china-sea-islands-angering-beijing-163979"> China Sea islands, angers China</a>

Beijing expressed anger after a British Royal Navy warship sailed close to islands claimed by China in the South China Sea late last month, saying Britain was engaged in "provocation" and that it had lodged a strong complaint.

China also warned that ties were at risk after the naval operation.

Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi met British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on the sidelines of a United Nations meeting in New York on Monday and expressed China's "stern position" on the South China Sea, China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

China "hopes that Britain will truly implement its position of not taking sides in the South China Sea issue, earnestly respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and not do anything to disturb mutual trust between the two countries", it cited Wang as saying.

China and Britain, which have talked of a "golden era" of relations, agreed last month to look at the possibility of reaching a "top notch" post-Brexit free trade deal that promises an important political win for the conservative British government.

China's statement on Wang's meeting with Hunt made no mention of Brexit or the free trade deal.

China hopes that Britain can stand by its position of not taking sides in the South China Sea and earnestly respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Chinese government's top diplomat told Britain's foreign minister.

China hopes that Britain can stand by its position of not taking sides in the South China Sea and earnestly respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Chinese government's top diplomat told Britain's foreign minister. Also Read: British Navy warship sails near South China Sea islands, angers China Beijing expressed anger after a British Royal Navy warship sailed close to islands claimed by China in the South China Sea late last month, saying Britain was engaged in "provocation" and that it had lodged a strong complaint. China also warned that ties were at risk after the naval operation. Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi met British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on the sidelines of a United Nations meeting in New York on Monday and expressed China's "stern position" on the South China Sea, China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. China "hopes that Britain will truly implement its position of not taking sides in the South China Sea issue, earnestly respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and not do anything to disturb mutual trust between the two countries", it cited Wang as saying. China and Britain, which have talked of a "golden era" of relations, agreed last month to look at the possibility of reaching a "top notch" post-Brexit free trade deal that promises an important political win for the conservative British government. China's statement on Wang's meeting with Hunt made no mention of Brexit or the free trade deal.

Hope Britain does not take sides in South China Sea issue: China

China appears to have installed weapons, including anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems, on all seven of the artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea, a US&nbsp;think tank reported on Wednesday, citing new satellite imagery.

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) said its findings come despite statements by the Chinese leadership that Beijing has no intention to militarise the islands in the strategic trade route, where territory is claimed by several countries.

AMTI said it had been tracking construction of hexagonal structures on Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi reefs in the Spratly Islands since June and July. China has already built military length airstrips on these islands.

&quot;It now seems that these structures are an evolution of point-defense fortifications already constructed at China&rsquo;s smaller facilities on Gaven, Hughes, Johnson, and Cuarteron reefs,&quot; it said citing images taken in November and made available to Reuters.

&quot;This model has gone through another evolution at (the) much-larger bases on Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief reefs.&quot;

Satellite images of Hughes and Gaven reefs showed what appeared to be anti-aircraft guns and what were likely to be close-in weapons systems (CIWS) to protect against cruise missile strikes, it said.

Images from Fiery Cross Reef showed towers that likely contained targeting radar, it said.

AMTI said covers had been installed on the towers at Fiery Cross, but the size of platforms on these and the covers suggested they concealed defense systems similar to those at the smaller reefs.

&quot;These gun and probable CIWS emplacements show that Beijing is serious about defense of its artificial islands in case of an armed contingency in the South China Sea,&quot; it said.

&quot;Among other things, they would be the last line of defense against cruise missiles launched by the United States or others against these soon-to-be-operational air bases.&quot;

AMTI director Greg Poling said AMTI had spent months trying to figure out what the purposes of the structures was.

&quot;This is the first time that we&#39;re confident in saying they are anti-aircraft and CIWS emplacements. We did not know that they had systems this big and this advanced there,&quot; he told Reuters.

&quot;This is militarization. The Chinese can argue that it&#39;s only for defensive purposes, but if you are building giant anti-aircraft gun and CIWS emplacements, it means that you are prepping for a future conflict.

&quot;They keep saying they are not militarizing, but they could deploy fighter jets and surface-to-air missiles tomorrow if they wanted to,&quot; he said. &quot;Now they have all the infrastructure in place for these interlocking rings of defense and power projection.&quot;The report said the installations would likely back up a defensive umbrella provided by a future deployment of mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) platforms like the HQ-9 system deployed to Woody Island in the Paracel Islands, farther to the north in the South China Sea.

It forecast that such a deployment could happen &quot;at any time,&quot; noting a recent Fox News report that components for SAM systems have been spotted at the southeastern Chinese port of Jieyang, possibly destined for the South China Sea.

China has said military construction on the islands will be limited to necessary defensive requirements.

The United States has criticized what it called China&#39;s militarization of its maritime outposts and stressed the need for freedom of navigation by conducting periodic air and naval patrols near them that have angered Beijing.

U.S. President-elect Donald&nbsp;Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has also criticized Chinese behavior in the South China Sea while signaling he may adopt a tougher approach to China&#39;s assertive behavior in the region than President Barack Obama.

Beijing had said it had no intention to militarise the artificial islands built by it in territory claimed by several countries

China appears to have installed weapons, including anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems, on all seven of the artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea, a US think tank reported on Wednesday, citing new satellite imagery. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) said its findings come despite statements by the Chinese leadership that Beijing has no intention to militarise the islands in the strategic trade route, where territory is claimed by several countries. AMTI said it had been tracking construction of hexagonal structures on Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi reefs in the Spratly Islands since June and July. China has already built military length airstrips on these islands. "It now seems that these structures are an evolution of point-defense fortifications already constructed at China’s smaller facilities on Gaven, Hughes, Johnson, and Cuarteron reefs," it said citing images taken in November and made available to Reuters. "This model has gone through another evolution at (the) much-larger bases on Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief reefs." Satellite images of Hughes and Gaven reefs showed what appeared to be anti-aircraft guns and what were likely to be close-in weapons systems (CIWS) to protect against cruise missile strikes, it said. Images from Fiery Cross Reef showed towers that likely contained targeting radar, it said. AMTI said covers had been installed on the towers at Fiery Cross, but the size of platforms on these and the covers suggested they concealed defense systems similar to those at the smaller reefs. "These gun and probable CIWS emplacements show that Beijing is serious about defense of its artificial islands in case of an armed contingency in the South China Sea," it said. "Among other things, they would be the last line of defense against cruise missiles launched by the United States or others against these soon-to-be-operational air bases." AMTI director Greg Poling said AMTI had spent months trying to figure out what the purposes of the structures was. "This is the first time that we're confident in saying they are anti-aircraft and CIWS emplacements. We did not know that they had systems this big and this advanced there," he told Reuters. "This is militarization. The Chinese can argue that it's only for defensive purposes, but if you are building giant anti-aircraft gun and CIWS emplacements, it means that you are prepping for a future conflict. "They keep saying they are not militarizing, but they could deploy fighter jets and surface-to-air missiles tomorrow if they wanted to," he said. "Now they have all the infrastructure in place for these interlocking rings of defense and power projection."The report said the installations would likely back up a defensive umbrella provided by a future deployment of mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) platforms like the HQ-9 system deployed to Woody Island in the Paracel Islands, farther to the north in the South China Sea. It forecast that such a deployment could happen "at any time," noting a recent Fox News report that components for SAM systems have been spotted at the southeastern Chinese port of Jieyang, possibly destined for the South China Sea. China has said military construction on the islands will be limited to necessary defensive requirements. The United States has criticized what it called China's militarization of its maritime outposts and stressed the need for freedom of navigation by conducting periodic air and naval patrols near them that have angered Beijing. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has also criticized Chinese behavior in the South China Sea while signaling he may adopt a tougher approach to China's assertive behavior in the region than President Barack Obama.

China has installed weapons on South China Sea islands: Think tank